Canada Launches National Vehicle Scrap Program

The Canadian government has introduced a program that encourages people to turn in old cars to be scrapped The National Vehicle Scrappage Program is being handled by the non-profit group the Clean Air Foundation, with support from the Canadian Government, which is providing $92 million to fund the program through March 31, 2011.

The Clean Air Foundation will run the program in collaboration with local and national partners. While version of the program have operated in different provinces, with the implementation of this program, last month, all provinces are able to take part.

The program, called "Retire your Ride,” offers incentives to Canadians who turn in their older, higher polluting vehicles and also promotes sustainable transportation choices leading to reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change.

The incentives include discounts on public transit passes, bicycles, memberships in car-sharing programs, or $300 cash. 

The Canadian government estimates that of the 20 million cars and trucks on Canada's roads, nearly five million were manufactured before 1996 - the year that the Government of Canada introduced more stringent standards to reduce smog-forming emissions. These pre-1996 models produce about 19 times more air pollutants than newer cars and trucks.

As part of the Government's commitment to high environmental standards, the program will also include a National Car Recycling Code of Practice. The code, which has been developed with the Automotive Recyclers of Canada, will raise the standard of environmental care for vehicle recycling and apply to all participating recyclers.